New and fine my stockings are, new and fine my shoes,
And not a care in all the world to plague me!
Halla (sits silent). Is time hanging heavy on you up here?
Arnes (goes to her). No, that is only something Kari has got into his head, because I am not always merry.
Halla (smiling). Once you boasted of being kin to the trolls.
Arnes. So I am. (Halla rises; blows a great puff of smoke into his face; laughs. Arnes takes hold of her wrists.) Once there were two trolls. They quarrelled and turned each other into stone. One had to stand where all the birds dropped their filth, and the other had to stand where all the winds blew. Which would you rather be?
Halla (tears herself away). I have not been turned to stone yet. (Laughs.) I thought you had forgotten all your old stories.
Arnes. You are strong.
Halla (sits down on the grass, leaning on her arm). Can you foretell things from the clouds?
Arnes. Yes, about the weather.